Bakoena Beard Care: Thapelo Mokoena's new venture for inclusive self-care
Thapelo Mokoena, a successful entrepreneur and well-known filmmaker, has expanded his range of products with a new business venture called Bakoena Beard Care.
He is dedicated to advancing inclusivity in the discourse surrounding self-care, specifically for people of Black and Brown ethnicities.
Initially, before fully embracing the idea that had been on his mind, Mokoena noticed that the majority of the products in his bathroom cabinets - about 80% - were not of African origin. However, this realisation served as a motivator for him to pursue the idea further.
Bakoena Beard Care has invested a significant amount of effort and attention into selecting the product names and packaging, drawing inspiration from the diversity, culture, and heritage of Africa.
GQ had an exclusive chat with Thapelo to discuss his move to explore the grooming industry.
According to Mokoena, he is always closely involved with grooming, whether he wants to be or not, due to the nature of his work. Additionally, he has worked with many grooming brands in the past and recognises the significance of discussing grooming.
Similar to numerous products in the market, the inception of a solution often originates from an individual identifying and solving their own problem, and subsequently realising that others could also benefit from it.
“The reason for all of this is because I had eczema, as do my children, and it's a condition that runs in my family. Also, I've been getting many DMs asking about my beard, likely due to my family's tendency to have grey hair.
Some people have asked if I dye my beard or use specific products to keep it healthy-looking,” said Mokoena, founder and CEO of Bakoena Brands.
“I realised that I had valuable information to share when I found a natural remedy that helped with my eczema or at least made it less of an issue, since my skin was no longer problematic.”
In order to bring his vision to life, Mokoena contacted Jared Hines, an award-winning specialist in skincare and aromatherapy with over 17 years of experience, who owns a male grooming salon called Hines and Harley.
Thapelo stated that, following Jared's assistance with his eczema, the conversation naturally progressed to the question of how they could help others.
He mentioned that his children use the oils that are made from natural kino extracts, which Jared mixes together, and they have been able to avoid similar issues with their skin.
Mokoena's Basotho and Zulu heritage is celebrated through the infusion of scents that are reminiscent of an African home in the products.
The actor shared that he has been using the products that he and Jared developed for two years, before releasing them to the public. He believes that this is the perfect moment to finally launch the products.
Thapelo revealed that he has been ingrown-free for three years, allowing him to shoot his shows without any discomfort. He has discovered a simple routine that works for him, which involves applying basic grooming techniques immediately after leaving the gym.
Mokoena believes that it's essential to take care of oneself and treat the skin and beard correctly, as it sets the tone for the rest of the day. By following this routine, he can achieve his goal without spending excessive time in the bathroom
“The consistent theme in our products is the essence of nature and home, which is also the tagline for our holding company "Le Lapa Bakoena". We strive to create an organic grooming experience that welcomes men to the feeling of home,” Thapelo concludes
The Bakoena Beard Care line can be purchased here.